What Causes Red Blotches on Your Body

ByMargaret Bell

Red blotches on your body could have many causes. Understanding the causes will help you understand the solutions. Typically, some kind of rash is involved. Below, you will see descriptions of some of the more common rashes and their causes, as well as environmental factors that could be the cause of your particular problem.

Hives

Hives are rashes that consist of red, raised and itchy bumps, which are signs of underlying inflammation. The cause may be an allergic reaction to foods or skincare products. An environmental issue such as heat, cold or sun exposure may be the cause. Or, in rare cases, they are a reaction to adrenaline or noradrenalin. Some people experience hives when they are nervous, panicky or overly emotional.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is inflammation of the derma (skin) caused by contact with something in the environment. The symptoms of contact dermatitis vary depending on the sub type. For example, detergent-related contact dermatitis is a reaction to ingredients in cleansers. Dryness, swelling and cracking may occur in extreme cases.

Urushiol induced contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction that occurs due to contact with urushiol containing plants, such as poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. The first symptom is red blotches on body skin. A non-sensitive person may only have that symptom. Sensitive individuals may experience blistering.

Rosacea

Rosacea most commonly affects the face, but it may be accompanied by red blotches on the skin. For example, the neck is sometimes affected. The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, although inflammation is known to be involved. In some cases, there are environmental issues, such as frequent overexposure to sunlight.

Cold Air

In areas with temperate climates, winter temperatures can be quite cold, but we keep our homes quite warm. Cold temperatures on the outside combined with warm temperatures on the inside creates a low relative humidity. There is very little water in the air, so the skin becomes dry quite quickly. Hot showers complicate matters. Many people experience dryness and itching, especially on their backs, during the winter time. Dryness and itching is a symptoms of underlying inflammation. Red patches may appear anywhere on the body as a result of exposure to the cold, as a result of the low humidity or as a symptom of excessive dryness.

Lack of or Excess Sebum

Sebum is the skin's naturally protective oil. It serves as a lubricant and protects against injuries from friction. Sebum production is not always balanced. Sometimes, there is excessive sebum production. Other times, there is a lack of sebum.

A lack of sebum can cause red blotches on the body where the skin is touched by clothing, due to underlying inflammation. Excessive sebum can contribute to pimples, boils or cysts, which will initially look like a red spot on the skin and are accompanied by inflammation.

Solutions

The above list may not be all inclusive. There are diseases and infections accompanied by red blotches on the body. If you have other symptoms, you may need to see your doctor. In most cases, however, the solutions are found in the better body lotions. You will learn about those in my next article. See resource box below.

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